Please solve this one!!
 

Hi everyone. I am new to flying. I have a Hobbico Superstsr EP electric plane and it only has elevator and rudder (no ailerons) . It also has no rear wheel hooked to the rudder, only a tail dragger. This seems odd to me. I can't seem to taxi it. When I give it throttle it tourques to the left, I think, and it just spins in a circle. The fuselage goes all the way behind the tail fin & rudder so I don't know how I could hook up a connection to add a rear wheel which would work off of the rudder servo. Am I doing something stupid, or is there a bad design in the plane? I sure don't want to have someone hand launch it for me. I wish someone could solve this problem. It seems like a very well built plane so maybe it is me. Sure hopeing to get an answer. Tanks a whole bunch. mikeflyzz

RE: Please solve this one!!
 

I think a hand launch is best for this plane.

RE: Please solve this one!!
 

Taken right from [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXAWF5**&P=ML]Tower Hobbies[/link] site about the Hobbico Superstar EP 3ch RTF....

COMMENTS: It is recommended to use ONLY the included battery (GPMA2344)
This model will take off from hard surfaces like pavement but not
from grass.

***edited this in***

After reading the manual listed on the above tower hobbies page, it does say....

Takeoff
Switch on the transmitter and make sure the throttle
stick is back (pulled towards you). Switch on the
electronic speed control. If you have dual rates on
your transmitter, set them to low. For the first flight
have an assistant hand launch the plane for you. This
will allow you to have both hands on the transmitter in
case the plane is out of trim.To launch the SuperStar
EP Select, grip the plane under the wing, keeping all
body parts away from the propeller. Switch the motor
on and toss the plane level into the wind. Allow the
SuperStar EP Select to gain speed and climb out at a
shallow angle before turning. The SuperStar EP
Select can also take off from a hard surface.

RE: Please solve this one!!
 

mikeflyzz... I bought the same plane for the grandchild.. And it
does ground loop pretty fast if trying to slowly get her up.. I found
the best way for me is to set it down lined up down the runway a
small bit of Lt. rudder and be ready to adjust then pour the coals
to it to get her up fast!! But the best way and also you'll get a bit
more battery time is to hand launch it...

RE: Please solve this one!!
 

I had a Superstar that was gas. It had the engine mount on the front for tricycle gear.
I coverted that plane to a tail dragger. It attaches directly to the fuse. Hard to explain, I will send a picture from a website and mine.
I believe that plane is sturdy enough to cut out a space for the servo in the fuse on one side or the other. Beef up the wood on the inside with strips for the screws and ad whatever wood so that it will not break the fuse side panel. If you do this place a servo in different places so you do not exceed the center of gravity range suggested. You can always add a little weight to the nose. However you want to keep it light as possible and especially so being electric. I do not think one servo is going to make much difference. Mine was a rather sturdy and heavy plane compared to my others.
Might ask this question in the build forum where they know more than I do.
Mine had a place for a servo and I simply ran a tube out. I suspect your battery sits where my servo tray was.
I am not sure why its torque steering so. I guess it gets over it once it gains speed. I would think prop size and thrust but that plane is a beginner ARF plane and thrust should be set. I have a high opinion of Hobbico. I assume you are using the suggested prop.
All past tense, I flew it into a tree that was further away the lap before.

Its just a thought. I very much like being able to taxi my planes and I too must correct as I take off with some of my planes spinning big wide props.
I have one 40 size I must toss and I stress each time when I am by myself. TX in one hand, plane in the other. Its a motor driven glider with no wheel at all.

RE: Please solve this one!!
 

I am confused, When you get the tail off the ground in To you should be able to steer like a regular Tail dragger. Make sure you use that rudder to steer on the ground.

RE: Please solve this one!!
 

Every plane is different but each of the tail draggers I have flown require some up elevator input to keep its rear wheel on the ground until it builds up enough speed for take off.
Bi-planes and tri-planes are the worst to nose over often a pilot must hold on to it until prop speed is up and launch will be very short. I have an Avistar tricycle gear. To fly that I must set my mind to not do the "up elevator" habit.

Taking off is not the easiest thing to do. It a mix of elevator, rudder, throttle and ailerons when applicable. That must be just right for a perfect take off. These skills come with practce and help from an instructor.

For me; mainly flying off a paved surface; a wheel is a must. I have a little electric (Quite Storm) that had no tail gear included, just a skid. It had a rear tire before it made it out of my workshop.
I could easily toss that pane but part of my enjoyment is the taxi and power on to a smooth climb. Personal preference mostly and it gives the plane time to show any problems on the ground before I commit to flight.

Cheers
Michael